Peeking Under the Covers

In Chapter 10 we find Suzy enthralled with life in Cannes. Carnival, parties, and flower battles absorb her time, as do the attentions of the gentlemanly Georges de Flers. But life in Paris comes flooding back in with the arrival of André. Suzy is excited for news of her family but she also seems somewhat drawn to this new side of André; one willing to not only bring news of the Douvry family but also to indulge in the ostentatious side of life by making his way to Cannes and Suzy's side. There is also a conspiracy of sorts going on. André and Mme. Douvry have made a pact not to tell Suzy about the roots as to why M. Douvry has finally been hired on as engineer in his new endeavor. As we saw before, it appears André is still attempting to win Suzy's favor and heart, but in a way that keeps the aid to Suzy's father in the dark.  Will André succeed any better with Suzy with his willingness to enter her societal world? Or does the dashing Georges de Flers win out with his atte...

Chapter 9 closes with a sweet moment between André and his mother. At this point in the story, I'm pretty certain André is smitten with Suzy, to the point that he's willing to put his own good name on the line for M. Douvry with the engineering position. But, as we've seen, Suzy is not smitten with him, which poses a problem for our dear André. What would be the best recourse in order for him to gain Suzy's attention? And what about Georges de Flers? Is this the man with whom Suzy is truly smitten... Chapter 10 opens with a scene filled with flowers and Suzy's delight at all the goings-on in Cannes. Let's follow along and see where this goes! Chapter 10: Cast of Characters Suzanne (Suzy)   -- eldest daughter of M. and Mme. Douvry Georges de Flers  -- Suzy's friend Lady Graham  -- Suzy's travel companion André Vilbert  -- friend of the Douvry family Madame (Mme.) Douvry   -- Suzy's mother Monsieur (M.) Douvry  -- Suzy's father

With the closing of Chapter 8, it's easy to feel some of Suzy's relief and trepidation. In one way, she has dodged a marriage proposal from André, even if it did leave her with lingering uncertainty, and in another way, we see her finally show some adult courage. The good-byes at home and at the train feel like torture and agony for our dear little Suzy. Maybe all she really needed was a good night sleep after all of that. Perhaps that's why I like the last sentence to Chapter 8, " She no longer felt afraid as she looked to the future."  My hope (and I hope it's yours as well) is that Suzy finds some joy and happiness in the south of France. But first, we'll see a slight change in the cast of characters as we follow along with André for a bit! Chapter 9: Cast of Characters Suzanne (Suzy)   -- eldest daughter of M. and Mme. Douvry André Vilbert  -- friend of the family Mme. Vilbert -- André's mother Aunt Sylvie -- André's aunt M.   de   Guillancour...

At the end of Chapter 7, maybe you were a little like me and felt a bit sad for poor André. When he says, " Mademoiselle Suzy, don't you think you could find a little affection for me?" I kind of wanted to cry for him. Sad, severe André...Did he set his sights on the wrong girl? After all, she seems to have her heart set on Georges de Flers. So, it would seem, we have a love triangle going on here. Perhaps if André weren't so austere and cold...Let's see where things go in Chapter 8. Chapter 8: Cast of Characters Suzanne (Suzy)   -- eldest daughter of M. and Mme. Douvry Alice -- younger sister to Suzy and one of the twins Mme. Arnay (Charlotte)  -- Suzy's aunt and M. Arnay's wife Germaine Arnay  -- Mme. Arnay's daughter and Suzy's cousin André Vilbert  -- friend of the family Lady Graham  -- American friend of Mme. Arnay Georges de Flers -- acquaintance of Suzy's but she might want more Madame (Mme.) Douvry   -- Suzy's mother Monsieur (M....

Finally, our poor, little Suzy has made a decision. As hard as it will be to tear herself away from her family, particularly her mother, she has agreed to accompany Lady Graham to Cannes.  Perhaps you might think Suzy is being melodramatic or overly emotional about leaving home and going away with a woman she barely knows to a place in France she has never been to. But, remember, Suzy is a young lady during a time of so much upheaval going on in Europe. She is only eighteen years old, at a time when not much was expected from a girl of this age who would have been from a certain station in life. A long separation from family would have been a daunting idea for Suzy, especially since she is so close to her mother. But then there is the handsome Georges de Flers to soften the blow of such a long time away from home... Chapter 7: Cast of Characters Suzanne (Suzy)   -- eldest daughter of M. and Mme. Douvry André Vilbert  -- friend of the family Lady Graham  -- American f...

At the end of Chapter 5, we find Suzy in a bit of a predicament. Hope's for her family's financial future hinged on her meeting with Mme. Vricourt, a meeting that ended up going poorly for our dear Suzy. I sense she feels a bit lost by the end of this chapter. She feels she has failed her mother, failed her family's financial future, and even doubts her own talents when it comes to the idea of making a living. Even though Suzy knows that taking any kind of working position would beneath her station in life, she seems to take the challenge head-on, and I like this about her. What will Suzy's next steps be? Will she return home, lick her wounds, but get right back out there and try again with another family? Will she lie to her mother, and make it look like she has gotten a position teaching piano until one finally turns up for her? Or, perhaps, might she have a chance encounter with the mysterious Lady Graham? Let's dive into Chapter 6 to find out! Chapter 6: Cast of...

As we can see from chapter four, Suzy has irrevocably rejected the idea of traveling to Cannes with Lady Graham. Or so we are led to believe... Instead, Suzy is determined to use her piano skills and find students she can teach. A noble endeavor, yes? Well, I guess it depends on the time period and one's place in society. Suzy's place is very tentative. Her father has just lost his job and the wealthier side of her family (mainly, her mother's sister-in-law) seems to be struggling with the idea of appearances when it comes to the unfortunate Douvrys.  Let's see where chapter five takes us! Chapter 5: Cast of Characters Suzanne (Suzy)   -- eldest daughter of M. and Mme. Douvry Mme. Arnay (Charlotte)  -- Suzy's aunt and M. Arnay's wife Germaine Arnay  -- younger sister to Mme. de Berly Lady Graham  -- American friend of Mme. Arnay Madame (Mme.) Douvry   -- Suzy's mother Monsieur (M.) Douvry  -- Suzy's father Madame de Vricourt  -- woman with whom Su...

By the end of Chapter 3, we find Suzy's family in some dire circumstances. Her father (M. Douvry) has been let go of (I guess downsized for the time period) from his position as inspector at the financial corporation where he worked. His brother-in-law (M. Arnay) had secured the position for him, so a little friction is bound to arise. Bitterness and sadness permeate Chapter 3, especially between husband and wife. There is a sweetness there, though, that shines through. Mme. Douvry has been through so much with her husband concerning his career and, even though this will be yet another disappointment and hardship, she is willing to see it through with M. Douvry. As for Suzy, she's beginning to grow up. This story not only has a thread of romance in it, but it's also a coming-of-age story for a young girl finally understanding life can be a struggle. And sometimes, we have to pitch in to help make things work out! Chapter 4: Cast of Characters Suzanne (Suzy)   -- eldest daug...

At this point in the story, we have been introduced to the two men vying for Suzy's attention: Georges de Flers and André Vilbert. We also see Suzy back in Paris, struggling to settle her life after such an idyllic time at Le Castel. Her relationship with her mother remains as strong as ever, but we see the family cracks straight away. Madame Douvry is a woman who followed her husband through every high and low of his engineering career, leaving her exhausted and ever on edge. Are good things around the corner for this family? Chapter 3: Cast of Characters Suzanne (Suzy)   -- cousin to Mme. de Berly and Germaine Georges de Flers  -- guest at Le Castel Germaine Arnay  -- younger sister to Mme. de Berly Miss Gladys Tufton   -- friend to Germaine at Le Castel Madame (Mme.) Douvry   -- Suzy's mother Monsieur (M.) Douvry  -- Suzy's father André Vilbert  -- young man who is a friend of the Douvry family Come along, and we'll see what happens in Chapter 3!

 If you've come along with me this far, then you know that Suzy is facing a disquieting moment. She will soon leave Le Castel and her "holiday time" there. But what awaits her back in Paris, especially with the cold winds and rains of autumn dispelling her idyllic summer? Chapter 2: Cast of Characters Madame (Mme.) de Berly (Marthe)  -- eldest daughter of M. and Mme. Arnay Suzanne (Suzy)   -- cousin to Mme. de Berly and Germaine Georges de Flers  -- guest at Le Castel Germaine Arnay  -- younger sister to Mme. de Berly Monsieur (M.) Charles de Berly  -- married to Marthe Madame (Mme.) Arnay  -- mother to Germaine and Marthe/Suzy's aunt Monsieur (M.) Arnay  -- father to Germaine and Marthe/Suzy's uncle Madame (Mme.) Douvry -- Suzy's mother Monsieur (M.) Douvry -- Suzy's father The twins -- Suzy's younger twin sisters André Vilbert -- young man who is a friend of the Douvry family Come along, and we'll see what happens in Chapter 2!